Tuesday marked the kickoff of spring practice, the first of 15 sessions. Fifth-year coach Dennis Erickson liked the enthusiasm but noted that's not uncommon. He thought the offensive execution was good. The conditioning strong. But at this point, more than five months from the season opener, Erickson knows words mean little.

"We're a long ways away," he said.

The Sun Devils return 18 starters from last season's 6-6 squad that finished with wins over UCLA and rival Arizona. Junior Brock Osweiler is the starting quarterback, a veteran with just two career starts. Last year at this time, Osweiler battled Steven Threet. But Threet retired last month because of concussion symptoms.

"It's a lot different," Osweiler said. "I'm a lot more comfortable. I've been in the offense for a year, and it's a little different. There's not exactly a quarterback competition, so it kind of takes that weight off you and just allows you to play."

Other things that stood out:

- Junior middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict has lost weight. Burfict said he stayed on campus during spring break and worked out. He's down seven pounds to 243, and it shows. He's leaner and actually seems quicker. His leadership also stood out. When the first team was called onto the field, Burfict often was the first player to his position.

"I'm trying to get us to a national championship," Burfict said, "and to do that, I feel like I need to become more of a leader."

- Sophomore running back Deantre Lewis dressed but ran sprints and conditioning exercises off to the side. Lewis was shot in what he described as a random drive-by shooting Feb. 12 near his hometown of Norco, Calif. Lewis said he hopes to practice by the third week, but he pointed out he hasn't worked out in a while.

"Every morning I thank God that I'm back out here and able to do the same stuff," Lewis said. "I'm going to overcome this and be back out there with my team and party with them on the field."

Lewis was hospitalized for four days after the shooting, which struck him in the back side.

"It gave me a whole new outlook on life," Lewis said. "When they say your life flashes before your eyes, that's exactly what happens."

- Senior lineman Brice Schwab looks like a different player. Erickson said Schwab, coming off a disappointing season, weighed around 340 last year. On Tuesday, Schwab, lined up at second-team right guard, was listed at 302.

"He moves a lot better, and he has a lot more confidence in himself," Erickson said. "He'll be one more guy to compete in that offensive line. We have some depth - finally."

- Redshirt freshman quarterback Taylor Kelly worked with the second-team offense, and true freshman Mike Bercovici worked with the third.

"We got a battle for second and third," Erickson said. "I thought they both did pretty well."